Dorothy Won't Be In Disney's OZ Sequel, Could WB's Competing Oz Films Be A Reason?

Producer Joe Roth states to LATimes that the Oz sequel "would absolutely not" have Dorothy involved. It might be to keep the Wizard going as there is a 20 year gap between the Wizard's arrival and Dorothy's according to writer Mitchell Kapner (recently hired to write the next film). Keeping what seemed to work which was James Franco as the main character along with setting up more mythology. I still think that Mombi and The Gnome King could have their origins explored in future films.

However, something else could be a reason Dorothy won't be in the film. Warner Bros. owns the original Wizard of Oz including many of the creative choices of the film like the look of Dorothy and many other things (Emerald City, ruby slippers, flying monkeys, wicked witch). Before Oz came out WB had at least three film projects in development. Oz: The Return To Emerald City had a solid concept as it would focus on Dorothy's granddaughter returning to Oz to fight a new evil. That project had a script written by Josh Olson (History of Violence). If Warner Bros. moved forward they would need to separate themselves from the Disney films. Perhaps, brining back Dorothy as the lead for their competing film if the studio decides to make one. It's possible that Disney could end up taking cues and having Dorothy's absent mother incorporated into their franchise instead of having to rely on her.

Disney Already Working On Sequel To OZ, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

Variety reports that Disney isn't waiting for final box office numbers to move forward with a sequel to Oz, The Great And Powerful. Even with mixed reviews and somewhat lukewarm reception the film is tracking excessively high. So with that in mind the studio has brought back screenwriter Mitchell Kapner a few months back to begin a new script. Details haven't been revealed but it's safe to say that James Franco, Michelle Williams and others will be returning. It's likely Disney is moving quickly because they don't want to have to wait as long as they will for the Alice In Wonderland sequel. While nothing has been mentioned it could be possible that Dorothy might finally be back. I also wouldn't be shocked to see actress Joey King end up with the part.

I'd like to think they'd incorporate more Disney focused supporting characters such as Tick Tok and Jack Pumpkinhead from novels/Return to Oz for the next installment. Character designs which Disney flat out owns and wouldn't need to change. As Warner Bros. owns the original Wizard of Oz and many creative changes had to be made for Oz. Including the iconic ruby slippers being turned back to their original silver. I'd kid in me would love to see villains such as the Gnome King and Mombi make a return, having their origins explored a bit. It was awesome how scary those characters were in Return to Oz, nowadays wouldn't fly with the Disney brass.

Matthais Schoenaerts Lines Up Roles In THE FAITHFULL, THE ARDENNES And SUITE FRANCAISE

Matthais Schoenaerts is having a fantastic year with the success of his film Rust And Bone. Which looks like it could end up earning a bunch of Oscar nominations if previous awards nominations over the year are any indication. He could very well end up walking away with a Best Actor nomination. Matthais has since lined-up a couple of future projects.

He's attached to a dark comedy The Ardennes which is described as Trainspotting meets Fargo. A road movie centering on three young Belgian losers who embark on a trip to the Ardennes forest, near the border of France, to get rid of a corpse. Another project is the French-set WWII drama Suite Francaise from director Saul Dibb (The Dutchess) which co-stars Michelle Williams and Kristin Scott Thomas. It focuses on a love affair between a young French woman (Williams) and the German officer (Schoenaerts) assigned to watch her in Nazi-occupied France. [DailyMail]

He'll also be joining another Belgian production The Faithfull. The film-noir is will be directed by Michael Roskam who helmed Bullhead which starred Matthias. That film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film. The Faithfull will be another gangster flick focusing on a crime syndicate in Brussels and is expected to shoot in Spring 2014. Roskam will be busy before The Faithfull lenses as well. He will be directing Animal Rescue which was scripted by author Dennis Lehane (Shutter Island, Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River) for Fox Searchlight. The Boston-set crime drama has Tom Hardy (Warrior, Dark Knight Rises) attached and Noomi Rapace (Dragon Tattoo, Dead Man Down, Prometheus) circling the female lead. [Variety]

Full Trailer For Sam Raimi's OZ, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

New Images From Sam Raimi's OZ, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

Mel Gibson Set For Role In 'MACHETE KILLS'

A new Deadline report clarifies an earlier casting scoop that Mel Gibson is wanted for a large role in Robert Rodriguez's Machete Kills the sequel to Machete. There had been some confusion on which of the two budding projects (Sin City 2/Machete Kills) the writer/director wanted both Gibson and actress Michelle Williams for. Gibson has done some serious damage to his career in the last couple of years. Yet, stuff like this can blow over for an actor with the right role. I have to assume that Mel's new Mexico set action film Get The Gringo had something to do with getting the attention of Robert. Danny Trejo is back as the Mexican badass with Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez set to return as well. Machete is drafted by the U.S. government to track a cartel leader and an arms dealer who have a weapon in space.

'SIN CITY 2: A DAME TO KILL FOR' Shooting This Summer, Michelle Williams And Mel Gibson Wanted For Roles?

Deadline has the official press release that Sin City 2: A Dame To Kill For is moving forward with a summer production start. It also includes the announcement of Robert Rodriguez re-teaming with his co-director Frank Miller for the sequel. This is a massive relief for fans who have been waiting more than five years to hear this news. Don't get your hopes up until cameras actually start rolling. We've all been here before with Rodriquez when he famously had costumes and sets built for the Barbarella remake only to walkout on it. It's unknown at this point if they'll be able to get original cast members to return but casting is going to be in full swing soon.

Deadline adds that Michelle Williams and Mel Gibson are being pursued for roles. If Gibson did agree to join the cast the assumption is that if the film is successful it could help resurrect his acting career. Similar to how the first film helped Mickey Rourke back into the spotlight leading to Oscar nominated roles like The Wrestler. I wouldn't be shocked if Mel ends up replacing Rourke as Marv, since Mickey has repeatedly stated he wouldn't return because of the makeup involved. A lot of the characters that were killed off in Sin City are expected to return in some fashion for A Dame To Kill For since most of the events take place prior to that film.

Teaser Trailer For 'Take This Waltz" Starring Michelle Williams And Seth Rogen

Zach Braff In Talks To Join Oz, The Great & Poweful

Deadline reports that Zach Braff (Scrubs) is in final talks to join Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful. Braff is taking the role of the Wizard's (Franco) assistant which had been originally offered to John C. Rielly. A big step down in my opinion and hope there are some charismatic male actors added to this cast. Zach joins James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Joey King.

Michelle Williams Confirmed As Glinda In Sam Raimi's OZ

 It's been confirmed by Variety that Michelle Williams will play Glinda the good witch in Oz, The Great & Powerful. She will star alongside James Franco, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis in the Disney film directed by Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, Evil Dead).

Disney Wants Michelle Williams For Oz

Vulture reports that Disney is trying to cast the rest of the roles for Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful. They say that Raimi is championing Hilary Swank for the role of the elder witch while Disney wants Michelle Williams. I believe most of the time a director is right on the money but Sam has a trend of hiring plain-Jane actresses for his leads. From what I know about the synopsis the witches are supposed to be beyond gorgeous while Swank can be pretty at times she isn't as stunning as say Mila Kunis, Blake Lively or Michelle Williams. I have to side with Disney as Michelle is coming off some impressive roles in Shutter Island and Blue Valentine the latter earned her second Oscar nomination.

It's unknown if Blake Lively is still involved with the film as she just joined Oliver Stone's Savages. Vulture also reported that John C. Rilley was in talks to play the Wizard's (Franco) sidekick but is expected to get an offer for a role in Hunger Games instead. To be honest I'd rather see Rilley in Oz but let's hope Disney continues to give us a solid cast.